Carrots. 1 75 



Forcing in Frames. Mild hot-beds for forcing Carrots may 

 be made at any time from the middle of November to the end 

 of February. Full particulars respecting the preparation for 

 and making of these will be found in pages 82-84 and 92-94. 

 After the frame is put on the bed the manure is covered with 

 about 4in. of light rich soil, or preferably with the finely-sifted 

 thoroughly decayed manure described on page 83 ; this is raked 

 down smooth and fine and all lumps removed, then the frame 

 is shut up closely for a few days. When the bed is nicely warm 

 sow seed of one of the forcing varieties broadcast, very thinly, 

 cover lightly with dry finely-sifted decayed manure, and press 

 down evenly with the firming board. It is a good plan to sow 

 radish seed thinly along with the Carrot, as they are up very 

 quickly and cleared off the bed before the Carrots are incon- 

 venienced in any way, and add so materially to the profit of the 

 crop. French gardeners, after sowing carrot and radish, also 

 set lettuce plants on the same bed, and as soon as the lettuce 

 are ready for cutting follow these up by planting cauliflowers 

 amongst the Carrots. 

 These additional crops, 

 whilst in no way injur- 

 ing the quality or quan- 

 tity of the Carrots on 

 the bed, have a decided 

 effect in retarding their 

 growth, and when Car- 

 rots are wanted early 

 all additional crops ex- 

 cept radishes are best 

 omitted. 



As soon as the seed is sown the frames are shut up closely 

 and covered with mats until germination has taken place, after 

 which the mats are removed in the daytime, but replaced each 

 night to conserve the warmth and protect from frost. If the 

 manure and soil are in the right condition no water will be 

 needed, but if the soil gets dry give a little through a fine rose. 

 If the heat of the bed rises above 60 deg. by day or 50 deg. by 

 night a little air must be given, and in any case air should be 

 given on all favourable occasions as soon as the plants have 



Copyright, V. A. & Co. 



Parisian Forcing Carrot. 



